Holder or support for collapsible tubes and the like



, Aug. 2, 1938. E. HIGGINS HOLDER 0R SUPPORT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1937 Patented Aug. 2, 1938 1" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLDER OR SUPPORT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND THE LIKE Edward Higgins, Scottd ala Pa, 7

Application August 21, 1937, Serial No. 160,334

3 Claims. (01. 248-109) The present invention relates to a holder or support, primarily for collapsible tubes commonly utilized in marketing shaving cream, tooth paste, glue, liquid cement and the like, although, since the invention has for its primary object a simple, economical support adapted to be dispensed with the article to be supported thereby and to effectively hold such article in upright position on a cabinet shelf or other surface between periods of use to thus conserve space, it is plain other articles of similar shape may be supported with like benefit.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a support or holder capable of manufacture from various materials, more particularly cheap materials such as cardboard, and adapted for ready, easy erection from a blank which may be furnished in, or connected with, the cartons wherein such tubes and like articles are commonly dispensed. 1

A still further object is the provision of a holder or support of the above nature which may also be effectively used in windowdisplays and which provides a means for further advertising the articles with which it is used.

Among various other objects the invention aims to provide a support for holding an article of the above nature firmly in upright position without danger of scratching or otherwise marring the surface on which the holder with its supported article rests and to do this with a minimum of additional expense and with various resulting advantages including those above mentioned.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates my present invention and forms a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved holder or support and a collapsible tube container held in upright position therein;

Figure 2 is a side view thereof, the support or holder being shown in section;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the blank of the holder or support; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view thereof partially erected.

Referring now to these figures and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 4, it will be noted that the im)-, proved holder or support of this invention includes a flat rectangular base portion In and upwardly extending walls II and I2 extending from and forming continuations of relatively opposite side edges of the base portion l0. These walls II and I2 also extend toward one another and the wall i2 is provided with portions 13 forming continuations thereof and overlapping and extending along portions of the external surface of the wall I l.

According to the specific form of the invention as shown, the two walls I I and 12 in their upward extension incline toward one another and form a structure which in cross section, including the base portion I0, is generally of triangular shape. The overlapping portions l3 of wall l2 which extend along portions of the external surface of wall H are in the nature of parallel side strips,

and these strips preferably have inwardly oppositely projecting angular locking extremities l 4, one of which is plainly seen in Figure 4, for cooperation with and extension through, slots I5 in the wall I l parallel with the side edges of the' latter.

In their inner upper portions the walls II and I2 have curved recesses l6 and I1 which, when the walls are upstanding and locked in the overlapping relation by the cooperation of the angu:

lar extensions l4 and slots l5, cooperate to form an article receiving opening spaced above and located approximately centrally of the base portion l0, such opening being adapted to receive the discharge end of an article such as a collapsible tube A shown in Figures 1 and 2, so that the latter is thus positioned and held in upright position through the opening,'with its cap A resting upon the upper surface of the base portion Ill so that the cap is prevented from contact with and from scratching or otherwise marring a surface upon which the fiat base portion l0 rests.

Thus, the support or holder utilized within a cabinet is a means to conserve considerable shelf space, since it holds in upright position an article which would otherwise lie lengthwise on the shelf.

Preferably, the holder or support as thus described is formed from a single blank generally indicated at B in Figure 3, having the elongated rectangular form as indicated and including a section Ill between oppositely extending end portions H and l2 with which it is connected by pressed or otherwise formed folding lines l8 and I9, so that when these end portions ll and I2 are folded upwardly'to respectively form the upwarly extending walls II and I2, the section I0 forms the base portion H1. The end portion l2 of the blank, recessed at I! similar to the recessing at l6 of the end portion Il is further provided with side extensions l3 at opposite sides of its recess ll, connected thereto by folding lines 20, and it will be noted that these extensions l3- which form the strips l3 of the erected holder or supporthave inwardly projecting angular extremities 14, which in the erected holder serve tions I l and l2 upwardly along the fold lines l8, A

and I9 and toward one another, so that upon bending the extensions I3 upon the external surface of the section H the angular extremities l4 will reach the slots 15 and may be slipped laterally inwardly through these slots from the external surface of the section" I I which then forms the wall H.

Thus the recesses of the two walls form a tube receiving opening spaced substantially in a vertical direction above the base portion I0 of the holder, so that When a collapsible tube or similarly shaped article isextended downwardly through the opening so that its cap end rests upon the upper surface of the base portion ID,

.the tube will not only be effectively held in upright position with the flat base portion I0 resting upon a supporting surface, such as a cabinet shelf, but, as before stated, this base member ID prevents the cap end of the supported tube or other article from scratching or otherwise marring the supporting surface.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention is one which may be composed of sheet metal, cardboard or any other suitable material, and that as an article of manufacture it may be utilizedfor advertising purposes by printing or otherwise disposing advertising subject matter thereon, or, as previously stated, directions for folding or unfolding the holder may be displayed on the holder.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for holding collapsible tubes and the like in upright position comprising a flat rectangular base portion, upwardly extending opposing walls forming continuations of relatively opposite edges of the base portion and inclined toward each other, the upper free edges of said walls having recesses cooperating with each other to form an opening approximately centrally of and spaced vertically above the base portion, one of said walls having strip-like extensions at opposite sides of its recess overlapping the other wall and extending downwardly along its outer surface, the last-mentioned wall and said strips having relatively engaging locking means for holding the walls against relative displacement.

2. A support for holding collapsible tubes and the like 'in upright position comprising a flat rectangular base portion, upwardly extending opposing walls forming continuations of relatively opposite edges of the base portion and inclined toward each other, the upper free edges of said walls having recesses cooperating with each other to form an opening approximately centrally of and spaced vertically above the base portion, one of said walls having strip-like extensions'at opposite sides of its recess overlapping the other wall and extending downwardly along its outer surface, the last-mentioned Wall having slots and said strips having angular terminal portions to enter said slots for thus locking the walls against displacement.

3. A support of the character set forth, comprising a base portion, upwardly extending Walls forming continuations of, and rising from, opposite sides of the base portion, said walls having cutaway portions presenting an article receiving opening spaced vertically above the base portion, and one of said walls having portions thereof at points laterally offset from the opening and overlapping the other wall and provided with locking tongues projecting laterally therefrom through slitted portions of the last-mentioned Wall to thus hold the walls securely against relative displacement.

EDWARD HIGGINS. 

